Gilbert F. Ganucheau

Gilbert Francis Ganucheau, retired Clerk of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, passed away on August 26, 2023 at home at the age of 92. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 63 years, Yvonne DeGruy Ganucheau; his parents, Charles Ganucheau and Bianca Cartier Ganucheau; his brother, Charles J. Ganucheau; sisters, Elise Ganucheau Mooney, Marcelle Ganucheau Williams and Lydia Ganucheau Cates; and daughter, Lynn G. Waits (Randy). He is survived by his brother, Raymond Ganucheau. He is also survived by his children, Yvette G. Magee, Cynthia G. Hill (Steve), Gilbert F. Ganucheau Jr. (Sheila), Marcelle G. Manship (Mark), Thomas E. Ganucheau (Lisa), and Richard J. Ganucheau (Jeanne-Marie); son-in-law, Randy Waits; his grandchildren, Conan Magee (Dana Gramp), Jonathan Magee (Ona), Rebecca Magee (Nicholas Theodorou), Lisa Magee, Bianca Waits, Elliott Waits, Stephanie Hill, Mark Hill (Charmaine), Claire H. Schiro (Dominic), Adam Ganucheau (Brigitte), Jeff Ganucheau (Carol), Ross Ganucheau (Amanda), Bethany G. Harris (Chris), Mary Clare Ganucheau, John Ganucheau, Elise Ganucheau, Charlotte G. Garma (Max); and 21 great grandchildren.

He graduated from Jesuit High School New Orleans Class of 1947, he and attended Loyola University and Meadows-Draughan where he received a degree in Business Administration. Gilbert served in the United States Air Force Reserve during the period of the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged. He enjoyed all outdoor activities, traveling, fishing, golfing and spending time beautifying his gardens. His love of gardening began early in life when he planted a Victory Garden during World War II and continued throughout his life. When he retired, he had the privilege, along with his wife, of babysitting and entertaining his then eight-month-old granddaughter. He claimed that it helped carry him through the adjustment period after retirement. He’ll be remembered for his great sense of humor, his way of keeping many situations light with puns, witticisms, one-liners and general laughter. He seemed to have a saying for just about every situation and always had a song in his head that he would always share with you.

Upon retirement, the Fifth Circuit judges presented him with a plaque which read in part “Gilbert Ganucheau’s career can be synopsized in one word: Service. Service to the litigants who come to the court for justice; service the judges who occupy the bench of this court; service to his fellow employees without whom this court could not function; service to the public who depend on this court for the peaceful resolution of their disputes; service to the ideals of excellence during the periods of great change that required increasingly innovative and demanding skills; service that brought him to a position of eminence in this country as an acknowledged expert in court administration.”

The family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care provided by Jackie Adams, Augusta Hangens, Bernice Daggs and Donna Perkins. Their love of and commitment to Gilbert, aka Mr G. and Dude, was a blessing for which we will be forever grateful.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday September 1, 2023 beginning at 10:00 am, followed by a Funeral Mass at Noon. Interment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, Masses are preferred and / or donations to St. Joseph Abbey in Benedict, LA.